The Danger of Cutting Back on Church

We live in a day and age of the “cut back.” Businesses are cutting back employees to increase an ever-elusive profit margin. Local governments are cutting back services to try to balance their budgets. I wish the federal government would cut back on their funded programs and cut back on my taxes. According to my doctor, I should be cutting back on my carb intake. Maybe when the government cuts back I will too.

Cut backs have even extended to the church. Members have cut back on their attendance for several reasons. In response to declining attendance, churches have cut back the number of worship services they hold, many eliminating the poorly attended Sunday Evening service.

The Bible addresses the gathering of believers quite clearly in Hebrews 10:24-25:

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

That phrase in the last part of the passage really stands out: all the more. “The Day” to which the passage refers is the day that the Lord Jesus returns. Much of Biblical prophecy concerning the “end times” seems to indicate that we are living in the last days. Given that scenario, we need to be together all the more.

Working in a God-hating culture, we need the encouragement of fellow believers. Living in a sin-polluted culture we need the accountability of fellow believers. Enduring the faith-challenging circumstances in these last days, we need the collective strength of fellow believers. Now, more than ever, we need each other all the more.

As your life gets busier and you are forced to cut back some things from your schedule, please don’t cut back your church attendance. You and your family need what the church gathered provides. You can’t get it anywhere else, and all of us need it all the more.

Motivation For A Frustrating Day

This blog is for the husband/dad or wife/mom who selfishly gives even when the rest of the family seems ungrateful and oblivious to the effort.

This blog is for the employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty yet the supervisors, bosses, and customers only respond with complaints.

This blog is for the pastor who serves tirelessly only to be opposed at every turn by the very ones he loves and desires to lead.

This blog is also for the church servant who gives precious time to serve the Lord only to hear the criticism of those who sit by and do nothing.

Why bother? Why do it? Why continue giving your best, putting your best foot forward when it doesn’t seem to do any good? There is ONE very good reason – you have an audience of ONE.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. – Colossians 2:23-24

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

Hang in there, weary brother and sister. Don’t let the naysayers distract you. Don’t let the nuisances dishearten you. Don’t let the negative Nellies discourage you.

The only ONE who matters notices what you do and He will make sure you reap what you sow. Thank Him for the ability to “DO” whatever it is you do and look for ways He can gain glory from your effort. Give your effort to Him and know that even if no one else notices you, even if no one else appreciates you, even if no one else affirms you, He does.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. – 1 Corinthians 15:58

Do We Really Speak Truth and Is It Really in Love?

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One of the most popular Scripture misquotes is a phrase found in Ephesians 4:15:

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”

Many believers have used the concept of speaking the truth in love as found in this verse to assault verbally other brothers and sisters in Christ.  It seems as though anyone has the liberty to say any matter of hurtful things to another by claiming to speak the truth in love.  The problem with that approach is that (1) usually “the truth” is not God’s truth, but rather opinion, and (2) the motive is most often not loving but self-serving.

When we see the context of Ephesians 4:15 we can gain a more accurate understanding of what it means to speak the truth in love and a better idea of how to practice it.  The verse immediately preceding holds the key for our understanding.  Verse 14 admonishes us not to be gullible and vulnerable to teaching that not grounded in truth.  So then, verse 15 stands in antithesis to encourage us to speak TRUTH.  “Truth” contrasts “every wind of doctrine” in verse 14, and “love” contrasts “by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”

While some will manipulate and spin doctrine to suit their own agenda, the true believer, from a heart of love (love for God, His Word, and for His people) will be careful to speak the truth of God’s Word; to teach God’s truth rather than personal preference.

This verse, then, is not license to speak harshly to another believer, while claiming to do it because we love him or her.  A more appropriate guiding principle for our speech toward others can be found a verses after verse 15:

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. – Ephesians 4:29

 

 

Hope for the Downcast

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I am feeling a heavy burden these days for several family members, friends, and church folks who are going through difficult times in their lives.  Some are battling disease, some face financial issues, some emotional distress, still others are dealing with family matters that hurt to the core of their souls. I wish I could snap my fingers and make all of their problems go away.  I deal with things in my own life, but I hurt even more when people I care for are hurting.

Many of you reading this are going through challenging times in your life as well.  So, today, I want to just share some Bible verses that I hope will encourage you.  If you are where you can do it, read them out loud.  Let the devil hear the reason for hope in you.  Meditate on theses verses; claim the truth for your life.  Refuse to be governed by how you FEEL about your circumstances, and choose instead to yield to what you KNOW about our Sovereign God and HIS truth for your life.

Know that I am praying for those of you whose hurts I know.

Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Philippians 4:19 – And my God will supply every need of yours
according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 9:9-10 – The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 34:17-19 –  When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

1 Peter 5:10 – And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace,
who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ,
will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.